How can you control resource consumption of a SQL Database in Azure?

Managing the service tier and setting up resource quotas is the most effective way to control resource consumption of a SQL Database in Azure. Within Azure, service tiers define the performance levels available for databases, which include compute resources, storage limits, and capability features. By selecting an appropriate service tier, you can ensure that the database has the necessary resources allocated without going over budget. Furthermore, setting up resource quotas allows you to limit the amount of resources that the database can use, ensuring that it operates within designated limits to prevent resource contention and unpredictable performance.

In contrast, increasing data retention periods primarily affects data storage rather than direct resource consumption. While limiting the number of users can minimize concurrent connections, it does not adequately control the amount of database resources used during operations. Restricting access to specific IP addresses is focused on security and access control, rather than directly managing how resources are utilized by the database itself. Thus, managing service tiers and resource quotas encompasses a comprehensive approach to ensuring performance and stability while controlling costs associated with resource consumption.